Moral Values of the Middle Class:In the Context of Ashar Najmi`s Novel “Joker”

Abstract

Ashar Najmi's novel ‘‘Joker’’ is a distinguished and insightful masterpiece of modern Urdu fiction that unmasks the hidden moral hypocrisy, psychological complexities, and marital monotony of the highly educated and privileged middle class through the lens of satire and humor. This study presents a critical and analytical evaluation of human instincts, lust, and the inner decay generated by materialistic values concealed beneath the guise of scientific and technical rationality. By conducting a detailed psychological and social analysis of the novel’s key characters,Mr. Kashyap, Johar, Meero, and Suman,this paper demonstrates how individuals deploy their education, science, and technical intellect not for moral excellence, but to systematize sin into mathematical formulas. The paper highlights the artistic, stylistic depth, and satirical nuances of the novel while emphasizing the fundamental tragedy of modern materialistic society, where every individual appears as a respectable citizen on the surface but ultimately performs as a ridiculous joker underneath. Referance: Ahsan Farooqi, Dr., Noor-ul-Hasan Hashmi, Dr., "Novel Kya Hai?", Lucknow: Danish Mahal Aghaaz Park, 1951, p. 25 Najm-ul-Huda, Dr., "Kirdar Aur Kirdar Nigari", Patna: Bihar Urdu Academy, 1980, p. 45 Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, "Aazadi Ke Baad Urdu Novel", Pakistan: Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu, 1998, p. 53 Ashar Najmi, "Joker", Karachi: City Book Point, 2022, p. 127 Ibid, p. 147 Ibid, p. 153, 154 Ibid, p. 149 Ibid, p. 154 Majeed Bedar, Dr, "Novel Aur Mutallaiqat-e-Novel", Hyderabad: National Fine Printing Press, 1989, p. 85 Ibid, p. 159 Ibid, p. 145 12. Najm-ul-Huda, Dr, "Kirdar Aur Kirdar Nigari", p. 100